1788 AD

Magazine of the Fellowship of First Fleeters ACN 003 223 425

PATRON: Professor The Honourable Dame Marie Bashir AD CVO

To live on in the hearts and minds Volume 50 Issue 4 51st Year of Publication August-September 2019 of descendants is never to die

WELCOME TO DEAD CENTRAL

Our headline has nothing to do with an imagined clo- The cemetery finally contained more than 5000 memo- sure of ’s main Railway station due to lack of rial stones, ranging from humble markers to ornate mon- trains and passengers, but rather an impressive, so- uments, erected over forty-eight years from 1820 to named historical display recently opened in the Level 1 1868, the year of the last burial. When it officially closed Galleries at the State Library of . in 1888 the estimated final capacity approached 30 000 Fellowship members, from their reading of Ron With- burials. ington’s book Dispatched Downunder will be well aware By 1900 the grounds had become neglected and it was of the significance of ‘dead’ in the title. The whole area said at the time ‘a thick, disorderly, and in some places of Central Station, bounded by Elizabeth, Devonshire almost impenetrable scrub covered most of the ground and Pitt Streets and Eddy and tombstones lay Avenue, was once the scattered in careless site of Sydney’s second confusion all over the official burial ground, place - where standing, Sandhills Cemetery, in they presented gro- the area known as tesque attitudes like a Brickfields. party of drunken men This was the main cem- crossing a field’. etery for Sydney from By 1901 the NSW Gov- 1820 to 1888, consecrat- ernment was planning ed by Rev Samuel to use the site for Cen- Marsden at a ceremony tral Railway Station. De- at St Phillip’s Church at scendants were invited 11 am on 27 January to have the headstones 1820. relocated. Many, includ- The area encompassed ing those of 10 identi- was more than 11 acres fied First Fleeters, went and was fenced by a to the Bunnerong Cem- brick wall. The oldest etery at Matraville, with section, facing Elizabeth others going to St South was first used for all burials and then just for Rookwood, Woronora, those under Church of England rites. Later the rest of the South Head, Gore Hill and Waverley, the Government area was designated for other denominations. meeting the cost of the relocation. It was announced at the time that everything had been cleared from the site Considering the year the cemetery opened it is under- of the Sandhills Cemetery which eventually was totally standable that it became the final resting place of many occupied by the Railway Station. First Fleeters. In summary, records indicate that 46 First Fleeters were buried there, made up of 35 convicts (22 The Fellowship has conducted two dedication ceremo- males and 23 females), 10 Marines and 1 seaman. There nies installing plaques to honour First Fleeters buried at were no known children. both Sandhills (16 October 1988) and at Bunnerong (26 June 1988). (continued on page 3)

Registered by Post Publication No. 100002063 PRICE $2.50 Phone 02 9360 3788 HopingFounders for available a UK Fellowship of First Fleeters, 105 Cathedral Street, Woolloomooloo, NSW 2011 Email:[email protected] Plaquenow on Dedica- e-mail. First Fleeters on Facebook: www.facebook.com/FirstFleeters Details on page 12 Membership Enquiries:[email protected] WEBSITE: www.fellowshipfirstfleeters.org.au tion ~ Page 7 Founders September-October 2019

FOUNDERS PRESIDENT’S PEN The magazine of the Fellowship of First Fleeters Jon Fearon Editor , Layout and Artwork Jon & Karys Fearon Your magazine this issue continues a focus that began Ph. 02 4311 6254 E-mail: [email protected] last time, when the life of one of the marines on the , Isaac Tarr, was featured. Two more Marines have

their stories told this time, one who died here in the colony DIRECTORS 2018-2019 at 28, the other who stayed in the service for seventy years President/Chapter Development and died in England at the age of 90. Jon FEARON BA Dip Ed Stud (TESOL), Another link to last time is our lead story about the former Devonshire Ceme- Vice-President/Events/ tery which became Central Station at the turn of the 20th Century. If you hap- Maintenance Denis SMITH OAM pen to be in Sydney don’t miss the Dead Central Exhibition at the State Library, where the change from graves to trains is expertly presented. Treasurer/Secretary Kevin THOMAS FCA CPA FCIS Those of you who belong to chapters will be currently attending your AGMs Facebook/Website Liaison and electing your executives and committees for the year ahead. It saddens me Kerrie Anne CHRISTIAN BMet and other directors when we hear of chapters unable to find willing volunteers Plaques/Events/Membership to hold office and keep the FFF flag flying. Remember what we say, that the life Chris COUNTER JP of the Fellowship is clearly seen in the chapters. Office Manager/Membership And this brings me to a related matter. Below is your invitation to attend this Val COUNTER year’s AGM, which will be held at Windsor and hosted by Hawkesbury-Nepean Research Chapter in October. Our Articles of Association allow for 13 directors. So far Gillian DOYLE Dip Bus Stud only 10 nominations have been received. Currently the Board meets at First Chapter Liaison /Membership Karys FEARON BN Fleet House on the 4th Thursday morning of the month and will welcome any willing volunteers to the table, whether descendant member, associate or Archivist/Events friend. Half the current members also serve their own chapters in an official Sharon LAMB Assoc Dip Land & Eng Survey Drafting capacity but this is not a prerequisite. It just shows how keen we are! JON Minute Secretary/Library Karen LOVETT BA Dip Ed DNA Research FELLOWSHIP OF FIRST FLEETERS ACN 003 223 425 Julie WEBB BA B App Sc Dip Med Tech Patron: Professor The Honorable Dame Marie Bashir AD, CVO Dip FH Vice-Patron: Commodore Paul Kable AM, RAN, Rtd. Note: Other tasks are looked after by our team of faithful volunteers who NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING are at First Fleet House on Mondays, The next Annual General Meeting Wednesdays and Thursdays. Will be held on Saturday 26th October 2019 CONTENTS Commencing at 11.00am At: Hawkesbury Regional Museum 1. Welcome to Dead Central 8 Baker Street, Windsor, NSW 2. Directors; President’s Pen; Notice of Annual General Meeting AGENDA 3. Welcome to Dead Central (cont); 1. Welcome and Apologies. 4-5-6. James McManus and Jane Poole - 2. To receive and confirm the minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 27 two First Fleeters, Part 1. October 2018. 3. To receive the President’s Report. 6. Members’ Message Board; Donations 4. To receive and consider the Balance Sheet and Profit and Loss Accounts of the Received. Fellowship for the year ended 30 June 2019 7-8. James Meredith Captain Lieutenant 5. To approve the appointment of Professor The Honorable Dame Marie Bashir as of Marines Patron. 9. to commemorate the 6. To approve the appointment of Commodore Paul Kable as Vice-Patron. Sirius Sinking 7. Election of Officers: 10. Book Review - Esther; An Heirlooms -Appointment of Returning Officer, Register -Declaration of vacancy of positions and the election of Officers: President, Vice-President, Treasurer & Committee Members (max 13 Officers) 11. Chapters in Action -Declaration by the Returning Officer of the incoming Officers. 12. New Members; Deaths; For History 8. General business. Buffs. Chapter Outing to First Fleet K Thomas, Secretary, 27June 2019 House; Chapter Secretaries;

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(from page 1) A more recent opportunity to revisit the into disrepair. relocation site at Botany occurred on 13 May 2016 when The change from ceme- the First Fleet tery to station is featured Memorial Gar- in Station for a City, den was highlighting the long opened and years of debate as to dedicated at where to build a new Eastern Sub- station worthy of the urbs Memorial growing city it was to Park. serve. Most impressive The Dead are Norman Selfe’s large Central exhibi- birds-eye-view watercol- tion at the library, which is open until 17 November this ours of a proposed city year, is a very modern curation, best appreciated using the centre, (not Hyde Park, free smart-phone app provided on entry. Viewers listen to said the demonstrators) the enacted commentary as they make their way around and the concerns ex- the seven sections of the display. pressed by many over The first, Hidden Histories, introduces the concept and the disappearance of old visitors are invited to visit the past and explore the maps, Sydney. letters, paintings and photographs, each of which gives A large room is set aside for the fifth section, Posterity, evidence of a story to tell. where viewers can sit down and watch videos of under- Consecrated Ground focuses on the setting up of the ground station development juxtaposed with multiple cemetery in 1820. A historic headstones. The audio guide allows listeners to hear map of Sydney from 1822 1822 Cemetery Map directs us to the site along- some voices from the side a map showing aborigi- headstones. In this room nal cultural sites at the time. we can also see the Epitaph There are accompanying art book of sketches and photo- works from the period, in- graphs by the heritage cou- cluding Taylor’s 1821 pano- ple Arthur and Josephine ramic view of Sydney, pur- Foster, dating from 1900 posefully annotated. before the headstones were removed. In the third section, Resting Place, we read the general There are photos in Exhu- orders and can marvel at the mation showing the dilapi- miniature portraits of signifi- dated state of the cemetery cant citizens buried there and workmen removing such as Mary Reiby and Sime- headstones to the tram for on Lord. The spoken guide delivery to Botany. The gov- brings them back from their ernment gazette’s extract graves to speak to us. Here also are the health reports highlights the decision to locate the station at Devonshire from the 1860s with Legislative Assembly proceedings and St as an adjunct to Belmore Park and an extension of the also excellent photographs of the site’s later years as it fell rail lines from Redfern. Birth of a Station is the final section, where the focus, through photographs and newspaper cuttings, is the prep- aration and building in sandstone of ‘the handsomest sta- tion in the world’ The audio includes two minute chats with busy people and on display are the first train and a ticket issued on the day, 4 August 1906. Footnote: Workers preparing the groundwork at Central for Sydney’s new Metro recently unearthed, and archaeol- ogists identified, the grave and remains of a draper Joseph Thompson who was buried in 1858. An advert calling for Opening Day - the First Train arrives descendants found one such, Sydney Uni Professor Penny Russell, who is researching for her book about him. How’s

3 Founders September-October 2019

JAMES MCMANUS (1770-1798) and JANE POOLE (1768-1826) ~ Part 1 Author: Dennis James Thomas McManus PSM BA, Dip T James McManus or Jane Poole. But they provide a first- and C P, M.B.Env. [[email protected]] hand view of the very same small world in which both James and Jane lived even if through a different prism to James McManus 1770-1798 Summary Marine Private James and Convict Jane. Born: Date and place unknown, about 1770. Likely to be in England or Ireland. Author would appreciate any infor- First account of James McManus in the colony mation. Occupations: Marine Private 59th(Portsmouth) The first record of James in New South Wales is a sad Company 1785-1791. Arrived on Charlotte. He was on Nor- one and there are three accounts. “26 August 1790 con- folk Island as a settler 1791-1792. Returned to Sydney and fined for stealing a chest containing several articles, the joined the NSW Corps on 10th May 1792 for 5 years. In property of Private Charles McCarty; 4 October 1790 1794 promised a grant and in 1797 granted 65 acres at charged with stealing 4 shirts value twelve shillings, 5 pairs Mulgrave Place (now Agnes Banks) on the Hawkesbury of trousers value fifteen shillings, one white Dimoty waist- River. This grant and other land passed to his wife when coat value one shilling and six pence, one pair of shoes val- he died. Died: 15 April 1798. Registered: St Phillip's Angli- ue three shillings, one pair of stockings value one shilling, can Church, Sydney. Buried: Old Sydney Burial Ground, all the property of Private Charles McCarty ….... Pleaded George Street, Sydney - now the site. not guilty. Evidence was given by Private McCarty, Acting Married to Jane Poole: Norfolk Island in November 1791. Sergeant John Curry and Private William Charlton all of the Children of James and Jane: Sarah (1793-1793) James New South Wales Corps. The verdict was Not (1794-1839) and John (1797-1873). Guilty.” (http://www.gencircles.com/users/bshaw3/1/ UK background data/23) The Australian History Research site says “The th next day McManus tried to cut his own throat in the In 1786 James was in the 59 (Portsmouth) Company guardhouse, but was prevented by Corporal James Bagley serving as a Marine Private on the guard ship Hector. He after scaring himself in several places. James Scott, a ma- may have joined the Marines in 1785. Prior to that we rine sergeant who kept a journal from 1787 to 1792, rec- know nothing of him. I am hoping further information will ords that “Since his confinement he seems insane. For elev- come forward. I have contacted the Royal Marines Muse- en days he took no sort of victuals, except a few spoons of um and the UK National Archives without success. flour and water”. James travels to 1791 - James decides to stay There is a discrepancy in the records as to which ship On 21 September 1791 the Gorgon arrived in Sydney. James travelled on. Some accounts say James arrived on The Gorgon was also assigned to transport officers, includ- the Charlotte and others the Sirius. Historian Mollie Gillen ing Watkin Tench, and the marines back to England after 4 explains the discrepancy. James was in fact on both ships. years in the colony (January 1788 to late 1791). Tench He was on the Sirius but moved to the Charlotte on 19 says of the event he “hailed it with rapture and exalta- March 1787 some eight weeks before the first fleet sailed. tion” (Source: Tim Flannery, Watkin Tench's 1788 p.210.) (Molly Gillen, Founders of Australia, Sydney, 1989, p. 233.) But apparently this is not how James McManus and anoth- HMS Sirius was one of the two naval escorts for the First er 62 marines viewed it for they decided to stay. Fleet. The first Governor of New South Wales, Arthur Phil- lip, travelled on the Sirius. When leaving, the Charlotte had 34 ma- rine privates under the direction of Captain Watkin Tench. On the Sirius there were 43 marine privates. Prior to leaving England in early 1787 Tench was commissioned by John Debrett to write an account of the journey to the new colony. Four others were also commissioned to write accounts - Governor , Judge Advocate David Collins, (both on the Sirius), Lieuten- ant Governor John Hunter and Surgeon John White (on the Charlotte.) All of these accounts and more are available as free e- Norfolk Island celebrates “Foundation Day” on 6 March each books at http://gutenberg.net.au/first-fleet.html A word year, the day in 1788 when Lt landed on Nor- search has been made of all five First Fleet accounts. With folk Island. Image source: Australian History Research. the exception of Collins, none makes specific mention of

4 September-October 2019 Founders

Government offer of land grants and James (1794-1839). A third child, John was born in Phillip's original instructions did not provide wide allow- 1797 (1797-1873). ance of land grants. However, with the arrival of the sec- 1797 - James receives his land grant on the Hawkesbury ond fleet in 1790, Governor Phillip issued an invitation to River non-commissioned officers and privates to take up land. On 10 May 1797 (his discharge date from the NSW At that time every private soldier was offered an allotment Corps; exactly 5 years’ service started on 10 May 1792) of 80 acres if single and 100 acres if married plus 10 acres James was granted 65 acres in the district of Mulgrave for every child. In the same 1790 invitation a bounty of Place on the Hawkesbury River by Governor Hunter at a £3.0.0 was offered to every soldier who enlisted in the rent of 5 shillings after 5 years (R J Ryan, Land Grants 1788 NSW Corps. They were given a further assurance that “ in -1809 p.84). the case of a proper demeanour on their part, they shall, There is an excellent detailed book on the history of the after a further service of five years, be entitled to double Hawkesbury settlement by Jan Barkley-Jack - Hawkesbury the former portion of land, provided they chose to be- Settlement Revealed, A new look at Australia's third main- come settlers in the country.....to be subject to .. annual land settlement 1793-1802, Rosenberg 2009. From this quit-rent of one shilling for every 50- acres.” (Source: Tim book we know the details of the grant to James and its Flannery, Watkin Tench's 1788 p.129-130) later transfer to Jane. Tench says that 63 out of 160 marine privates accepted James was one of 23 soldiers, 63 ex-convicts and 5 free the offer to enter the New South Wales Corps and to take settlers promised land at Mulgrave Place in 1794 by Acting up grants at Norfolk Island or Rose Hill. On 5 April 1791 39 Governor Grose. Barkley-Jack explains the 65 acres. James persons, sailors or marines, including James McManus, was entitled to 25 acres plus 20 for Jane his wife plus 10 were granted 60 acres of land each at Norfolk Island. for each of the children still living at that time – Sarah and (Source: Cathy Dunn, 'Some land grants of 1791 Parra- James Jnr. Barkley-Jack says that James was one of two matta NSW and Norfolk Island') marine privates in 1794 to be promised acreage on the 1791 - James goes to Norfolk Island Hawkesbury based on a family – the other marine was Governor Phillip's Despatches for 1788-1791 show that John Atkins at York Reach. James McManus was among 29 marines who sailed from 1800 - Jane is given a grant of 160 acres. Sydney on the Atlantic on 26 October 1791 to settle on Norfolk Island. 1792 - James joins the NSW Corps and returns to Syd- ney We do not know why James chose to go to Norfolk Is- land. Was it simply because his land grant would be there? Was it related to the convict Jane Poole being there? Jane was sent to Norfolk Island on 11 November 1789. He prob- ably first met Jane on the Charlotte on their journey out from England. They almost certainly knew each other be- fore James landed at Norfolk Island because they were married within days of his arrival. We also do not know what happened to the grant offered on Norfolk Island, what he did while he was there nor why he left after a stay of less than 10 months. In August 1792 James left Norfolk Island on board the same ship he arrived on – the Atlantic - bound for Port Jackson. On board was his wife Jane Poole and her daugh- ter Margaret who is reported to have been born on Nor- folk Island in 1789. The father of Margaret is unknown. James joined the NSW Corps on 10 May 1792 while he was still on Norfolk Island and was discharged 10 May 1797. “The NSW Corps was formed in England in 1789 as a permanent regiment to relieve the First Fleet Marines. A fourth company was raised from those marines wishing to Map, above, from Jan Barkley-Jack: Hawkesbury Settlement remain in NSW under Captain George Johnston, who had Revealed, Rosenberg 2009. p.294 showing the 160 acre grant been Governor Phillip's aide-de-camp.” (Wikipedia) Jane's to Jane McManus at Mulgrave Place. The 30 acre lots equate seven year sentence expired on 19 August 1793 and we to grants to convicts in accordance with Philip's instructions. have the birth of Sarah who died in her first year in 1793 (continued on page 6)

. 5 Founders September-October 2019

(from page 5) Jan Barkley-Jack (pp. 400-401) goes into ment that part of Richard's property was a grant to his some detail of the 160 acre grant to Jane and what hap- ‘wife’.” pened next: A daughter, Martha, was born in 1803, before the couple The grant to ex-convict Jane Poole (McManus) registered split, but by 1806 Jane is shown with four male and two in March 1800 was unique in the colony because of the female children. By 1809 Richard Ridge was renting in the caveat it carried. Governor Hunter had been particularly Cornwallis area from Sarah Cooley, presumably part of careful to ensure that no male could ever take over Jane Argyle Farm. He has married Margaret Forrester, the Poole's grant. This was because Jane and her family posed daughter of Robert and Isabella, and it seems Richard and a special case within the settlement. Like John Watts, a Margaret later lived downriver on Richard's 1804 Portland double acreage had been promised to marine private Head grant, Richard later being a constable and provost James McManus, when he enlisted as a member of the marshal's bailiff. New South Corps in the colony, as it was to all such men. James' Death in 1798 The army had a way of looking after its own in providing James McManus died in 1798 cause unknown. Assuming for their families even after they had died. Patronage links he was born in about 1770 he died at about 28 years of in 1800 had ensured Jane a 160 acre grant on behalf of her age. He was buried on 15 April in the Old Sydney Burial deceased husband James, to replace his smaller acreage Site in George Street which is now the site of the Sydney given by Grose. Town Hall. This cemetery operated from 1792 to 1820. By 1800 Jane was farming in conjunction with Ridge, a The Burial Site Register compiled by the City of Sydney transportee who arrived on the Atlantic on the . holds the names and some detail for 2,266 persons includ- In 1798, two years after he had served out his sentence, ing 73 First Fleeters. James is listed as No 1340: McManus Ridge had begun living on his purchased South Creek grant James, No age, 1798, April 15, Settler. The main source for of William Butler. In the 1800 muster, the large McManus the McManus entry is the St Phillip's Church Parish Regis- grant is listed as belonging to Ridge, although the gover- ter. nor's involvement, does result in the rare acknowledge- (to be continued in the next issue.)

MEMBERS’ MESSAGE BOARD Donations received for House Upkeep: Arch M I, Bannigan P J, Bates A E, Benjamin R, Bercene J, Best R C, #7709 Lynne McDonald advises that an Ann Forbes Descend- Brown V A, Butler N, Coleman A C, Coleman S, Cridland S, Dean B G, ants Reunion is planned for Saturday 21st March 2020 in the Dingwall M, Doyle G E, Earl C O, Entwistle R, Ford W, Francis M, Had- Hawkesbury. ley R, Haxton F L, Hind I W, Hitchcock B, Hunt I G, Jewell C, Kell M I, Kemsley J T, Leech R T, Legge R M, Leo R E, Lincoln D, Little I E, Ma- Descendants of the Huxley and Dring lines will gather at Aus- nuel J A, Martin J, McBeath J, McKee I, McLean B Y, McPherson E, traliana Pioneer Village at Wilberforce from 10am to 4pm that Menger S, Middleton B, Milne J B, Mitchell M, Morgan H G, Morton B day. The aim will be to celebrate Ann’s life and descendants, J, Nelson M L, Norton G, Nunn S E, O’Neill B, Olivier C, Olivier F U, Orr also to connect, ask questions and put more of the family histo- R D, Pople M, Quick P A, Reed D J, Searchfield C, Searchfield M, Shaw ry together. Out of this event it is hoped an Ann Forbes De- S, Sloan E, Smith M, Snowden N, Solanov J P, Strange M, Symington N, scendants Association will be formed. Taylor P E, Theobald M. Contact #7105 Liz Germani on 0414 924 980 for details. Thank you all for your welcome contributions.

6 September-October 2019 Founders JAMES MEREDITH, CAPTAIN LIEUTENANT OF MARINES 24th (PLYMOUTH) COMPANY

Available records indicate that James Meredith was born Several times during 1778-9 James Meredith was called in 1754. The 1841 census shows that in retirement in by Arthur Phillip and David Collins for duty at the Criminal Monmouthshire he was living with his son James Henry, Court, while on other occasions it was Meredith himself born 17.7.1793, an officer in the Royal Navy. James senior who was wanted for various minor misdemeanours. The was not born in that county. complainant in most cases was actually his supervisor Ma- His military service records suggest that he himself may jor Ross, who seemed to regard Captain Meredith’s activi- have come from a family similarly employed. At 22, in ties as often bordering on illegality. One time it wasan April 1777 he was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant of Ma- accusation of stealing public garden pumpkins at Rose Hill rines in the 8th (Portsmouth) Company while stationed at where he and a party of marines were on duty and on an- Halifax Nova Scotia and the following year he was promot- other occasion, back at Sydney Town, he was accused of ed to 1st Lieutenant after serving on HMS Magnificent in ‘disturbing’ Sarah Bellamy in her hut. The latter ‘charge’ the West Indies and Canadian was followed by a more serious waters. His promotion to Cap- incident that involved Major tain Lieutenant came in Sep- Ross’s convict secretary, Herbert tember 1782 after which he Keeling in October 1789. The was Marine Captain on the angry Ross suspended Meredith Plymouth guardship, Culloden. as ‘unfit for duty’ and the matter was blown up in a court martial In 1786 he volunteered for on his return to England where the venture to Botany Bay and he hoped to successfully defend married Elizabeth Baker Har- himself against his accusers. vey at East Stone House, Dev- on in November of that year, The action was officially con- six months before setting sail St Mary’s Church, Welsh Newton, Herefordshire firmed by the Governor him- on the Friendship, the smallest self in April 1790 when his vessel of the First Fleet, on 13.05.1787. He was already at letter to Admiralty Secretary Philip Stephens, referred to sea when his first daughter, Eliza, was baptised in the No- the death of Marine Captain Shea and the suspension of vember of that year. Captain Meredith. With Arthur Phillip’s letter was a Re- turn of Marines that had been compiled by Captain Camp- He was befriended by Ralph Clark during the voyage, bell and a list of the officers and Marines who wished to agreeing with Clark on the use of severity towards con- remain in the colony at the end of their tour of duty. Phil- victs, who should be ‘put in irons on the smallest fault’. lip himself made note that Captain Meredith had request- Clark, despite the friendship, tended to be critical of many ed a court martial as he ‘deemed his conduct to have been of his fellow officers, commenting that James had declined such as he could justify’. to meet the Spanish Governor at Teneriffe and that he was considered one of the more ‘hard drinkers’ among the Naturally enough, James Meredith’s activities in relation marines. to his work as a marine garner much more official com- ment than anything referring to his ‘private life’. Despite Ralph Clark’s diary is the main source of anecdotes re- his wife Elizabeth and Eliza both being ‘alive and well’ in lating to the James Meredith during his nearly four years Devon, Meredith lived with a common-law convict partner in the settlement. James Meredith seemed in Sydney, Mary Hughes (AKA Mary Johnson) from Octo- quite adventurous and was often ‘up river’ hunting with ber 1789. Their son James was baptised on 9 May 1790, marine officer friends. Even before the fleet left Botany on the same day as another Meredith, Frederick, a sailor, Bay, Meredith is recorded by several diarists as keen on had his daughter by the convict Mary Allein baptised. fishing, how long he stayed out and with whom he was (continued on page 8) accompanied. For Parramatta River excursions in early autumn 1788, his usual friends were Clark, Captain Tench and (surgeon) Arndell, the latter having been with him when the two of them lost their way in the bush, were out all night but not found by a search party and finally returned to the boat the next morning ‘very fatigued’. On another occasion an indigenous spear man attempted to attack Meredith just after he left a short ‘gift-exchange’ to return to his boat. He apparently responded by firing his musket into a group of trees where his would-be assassin was hiding. View of Nave, with wall plaque 7 Founders September-October 2019

(from page 7) Captain James Meredith left the colony for His death at his residence in Monk St, Monmouth on 9th England on board the Gorgon on 18th December 1791, tak- July 1841 was recorded in the Monmouthshire press ‘at ing 18 month old James junior with him. Mary Hughes re- the patriarchal age of 88’. His wife, Elizabeth had pre- mained in the colony with her daughter Mary who was deceased him by seven years. Her death notice in The born 3 months after her father’s departure. Gorgon Merlin of 9th August 1831 reads ‘Died, on Tuesday night, reached Portsmouth on 21st June 1792, the Plymouth ma- aged 73, Elizabeth, the wife of General Meredith of this rines being then transferred to their home base Plymouth town. The demise of this esteemed lady, which was awful- on board HM Juno. Captain Meredith of course was part ly sudden, is much lamented in the circle of her acquaint- of this transfer and once on home soil, his rank of Captain ance.’ conferred on him at Sydney after the death of Captain The couple are buried in their nearby village church, St Shea was confirmed. Mary the Virgin, Welsh Newton, in Herefordshire, where The Meredith family, in its two locations during 1792 and they are honoured in a marble plaque on the interior wall 1793 suffered considerable sadness. James junior died of the historic 13th Century church. The plaque, pictured first in Portsmouth in October 1792, four months into his at left, below, reads as follows: time in England. His full sister back in Sydney, Mary, died NEAR THIS SPOT ARE DEPOSITED THE REMAINS OF exactly 12 months later. She too, as did her brother, had JAMES MEREDITH ESQ received a full baptism in St Philips church the previous A GENERAL IN THE ARMY AND A COLONEL OF ROYAL MARINES year. All was not lost, however for the family’s future, be- WHO DIED AT MONMOUTH JULY 9TH 1841 cause on 17th July, 1793, James and Elizabeth together IN THE 88TH YEAR OF HIS AGE again, welcomed their son James Henry into the family. HAVING HELD A COMMISSION IN HIS COUNTRY’S SERVICE 70 YEARS, 50 OF WHICH HE WAS IN ACTIVE EMPLOYMENT James Henry’s birth was registered in the parish of Old IN ALMOST EVERY PART OF THE GLOBE Lakenham, near Norwich, where his parents must have DURING THE MOST EVENTFUL PERIOD OF ITS HISTORY been domiciled at the time. It is not yet known what took ALSO OF ELIZABETH HIS WIFE them there so soon after James’s return to England. Per- WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE AUGUST 5TH 1834 haps there was a family connection to the area, or even a IN THE 75TH YEAR OF HER AGE marine service appointment. BELOVED IN LIFE AND LAMENTED IN DEATH His impressive career in the marines continued without interruptions for the rest of his life, after his requested The esteem court martial in Plymouth in September 1792 was found in shown by the his favour. His name was cleared and the charge made by local community Major Ross those years earlier was declared ‘groundless for this couple and malicious’. can be gauged by In March 1794 he was promoted to brevet Major and in the fact that they December of that year he embarked on Hannibal as Major are buried in the of Marines. He served on her until the end of September church itself. The 1800, mainly in the West Indies. During that six year peri- rolled back cen- od he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. Hart’s Army tral aisle carpet List for 1841, the year of James Meredith’s death, indicates reveals the in- further progress through the ranks of the Royal Marines : scribed flagstone Colonel in April 1808, Major-General in June 1811, Lieuten- showing their ant General in July 1821 and General in June 1838. initials and dates of death. Inscribed Meredith flagstone in aisle References: Founders of Australia, Mollie Gillen, Library of Australian His- tory 1989 Sydney Cove 1788, John Cobley, Hodder & Stoughton Sydney Cove 1789-1790, John Cobley, Angus & Robertson. Remarks on A Passage to Botany Bay 1787-1792, Trustees Pub- lic Library of NSW, in Association with Angus & Robertson. An Account of The English Colony in NSW Vol 1, David Collins, Edited by Brian Fletcher (RAHS) A H & W Reed The Journal and Letters of Lt. Ralph Clark 1787-1792, Edited by Paul Fidlon & R J Ryan, Library of Australian History Journal of a Voyage to NSW, John White, Edited by Alec H Chisholm (RAHS) Angus & Robertson

8 September-October 2019 Founders

NORFOLK ISLAND TO COMMEMORATE THE SIRIUS SINKING [Advertisement 1 - N.I. Travel Centre] A warm invitation is - Dedicated HMS Sirius tour by Norfolk Island Museum extended to all Fellowship of First Fleeters members to be on personnel. Norfolk Island in March 2020 to witness events commemorating - Four Norfolk Island Mu- the 230th Anniversary of the wrecking of HMS Sirius. As the seum Pass including tag-a flagship of the First Fleet, her March 19th 1790 wrecking records -long her as undoubtedly the Nation’s most important shipwreck. - Fabulous farewell fish The exciting news is that a very special week of events with fry dinner with talk and special guest presenter Professor Graham Seal, author of Great entertainment with sing- Convict Stories and Professor of Folklore at Curtin University has ing and island dancing. been organised by Norfolk Island Travel Centre. Graham will Other optional activities spotlight many extraordinary happenings and convicts, possibly include attending government House open day and a Cabbage- including those who lived throughout this tumultuous event. hat style making demonstration with Devonshire tea. Other presenters are history and folklore specialists Don and And why not extend your experience by beginning your jour- Sue Brian, who have uniquely collected the stories, songs and ney a little earlier when First Fleet Celebrations start with Foun- poems of convicts, whalers and others from this period; and dation Day on the 6th of March. Foundation Day celebrates the museum staff with responsibility for the arrival of 23 First Fleeters on the 6th of March 1788 when Nor- HMS Sirius collection. folk Island became the second NSW colony settlement. Together, our presenters offer the oppor- Please email Maria Massey for full details at [email protected] tunity to honour your ancestor’s story, or call 1800 1400 66 for further information. Norfolk Island Travel delve deeper into the writing about convict Centre would love to help you be here in March 2020. lives and stories and understanding the importance of this devastating event in the Nation’s early history. We highly recommend taking out the Op- tional 230th Anniversary Package that in- cludes: - Welcome dinner and presentation - Four workshop presentations by Graham, Don and Sue and museum personnel - 19th March special waterfront event under opposite the wreck site at Kingston, including a sumptuous luncheon, presentations and entertainment

[Advertisement 2 - Australian History Research and Heritage Enjoy the special day for the 230th Shipwreck anniversary of the Tourism] Sirius Week Package includes …Return ‘Seat & Bag’ Shipwreck HMS Sirius on Norfolk Island, including lunch airfare to Norfolk Island and all pre‐paid Airline taxes from Sydney or with heritage guest speakers. Brisbane and Norfolk Island airport transfers. Discover modern day location of your ancestor’s land. Visit to the first Settlement burial ground 1788 and cemetery Seven nights accommodation in one bedroom or two-bedroom showcasing the 1st Settlement headstones. self-contained apartments (Single - twin/double - triple HMS Sirius 230th Anniversary Souvenir Medallion and Booklet share or quad). Motel style rooms also available. Norfolk Island 1st Settlement Family History research zone Hire car to explore Norfolk Island (one car per apartment or mo- Norfolk Island 1st Settlement History and Family History research tel room) resources and primary records Discovery half day Norfolk Island tour. Norfolk Island HMS Sirius Heritage Dinner Walk in the footsteps of your ancestors: Tour of old Sydney Personalised heritage and history guide and much more. Town of the first settlement. Norfolk Island is considered Australian Domestic travel. Flights leave Interna- tional airports in both Sydney and Bris- bane. A valid driving licence - photo identification or passport is required for travel.

Further enquiries contact Cathy Dunn (02) 44554780 email: [email protected]. HMS Sirius Week Norfolk Island March 2020 is a project of Australian History Research and Heritage Tourism

9 Founders September-October 2019 BOOK REVIEW ~ ESTHER by JESSICA NORTH With so many well-known histories of the first settle- There is no doubt, however, that this is a family history ment years, particularly those written by family historians, rather than a novel where we would find characterisation it is surprising that only two books in the Family History further developed. As such, relations between Esther and section of the Fellowship library are about First Fleeters George are not really taken to any depth. Some themes George Johnston and . So this new book are developed, such as Esther’s interplay with her indige- by Sydney author, Jessica North, published by Allen and nous friends and their families and her need to be accept- Unwin in 2019, particularly as it relates to Esther, is a wel- ed by the local citizenry. come addition. A clever device used by the author is The author’s thorough research over to link Esther’s long-time friendship a ten year period has uncovered many with the and William Bry- interesting aspects of Esther’s life and ant families and the more well-known times and the attention to detail is incidents involving these fellow con- readily discernible throughout the victs are carefully interwoven into the book. The select bibliography lists storyline. The heroine’s life is well set over 90 titles and the book is well in- into the chronology of the times and dexed. the dated historical snippets make for Instead of numbered endnotes or easy reading. As such, the well- footnotes, Jessica has appended each attested Irish uprising at Castle Hill and of the thirteen chapters with a short the arrest of leading to account of the chief texts used to cre- Esther’s becoming First Lady are obvi- ate the incidents that form the story ous inclusions because of the John- line. This is a helpful approach where ston’s significant involvement in both novelistic anecdotes have been in- incidents. Esther’s Jewishness is un- cluded to flow the story along. As derplayed. indicated this is a true story and the In summary, it is an enjoyable book task in family history is always to to read, with a textual style which en- make the story readable and the char- gages the reader. Its 16 pages of col- acters engaging. The author has partially achieved the our prints on glossy paper are a worthy inclusion, particu- latter with creative additions of her own. They work well larly as some of the scenes chosen are not usually includ- because of the Chapter Notes, where specific sources are ed in the literature covering the history of the period. WJF cited and the imagined segments acknowledged.

AN HEIRLOOMS REGISTER An excellent idea for chapters & family groups: must nominate their first fleeter ancestor to enter/display #7787 Malcolm Tompson, President of Mid North Coast an item. Photos are desirable. Chapter, writes: As an example, you can see the heirlooms for my first fleeter by entering “William” and “Boggis”. I have added an heirlooms register to our chapter web- site. Go to www.fffmidnorthcoast.com.au and find the link The Register entry lists : Item, Ancestor, Inheritor, Email, Loca- on the Home page. This follows the list of First Fleeters tion, Description and Image. This is a letter seal owned by Charles Tompson, inherited by started some months ago. Malcolm Tompson, whose email is provided and location stat- I have inherited several relics of the Boggis/Tompson ed. It is described as ‘A gilt seal with the Tompson coat of arms and the initials CTDV ie Charles Tompson Deus Vult (God Will- family over the years and have wondered about others ing)’. scattered through the family. While I possess these things, I feel I am only a caretaker and have a responsibility to make them available for others to see. So I have started the register and will encourage other family members to display their heirlooms on it. There is a sad case where a family member died who had possessed a family bi- ble. She had only step-children who were not interested, so the bible has disappeared. Had it been on the register, there would have been some hope of retaining it. The register is designed for first fleeters only and users

10 September-October 2019 Founders OUR CHAPTERS IN ACTION Venue: Teralba Community Hall Supper Room, 15 Anzac Pde ALBURY-WODONGA DISTRICT – Both sides of the Murray River. Teralba – bi-monthly meetings, usually third Monday from 10am Venue: usually at Albury Library/Museum, Kiewa St. Albury, — 12.30pm. Next Meetings: 19 August: AGM, Roger Heading, monthly meetings, third Saturday at 10:00 for 10.30 am. Next Convict Escapees, Mary and ; 21 October: Janice Meetings: 17 August: AGM and Speaker, TBA. Contact: Mary McDonald. Bee-Keeping in the Hunter. Next Event: 16 September: Chalmers-Borella 6025 3283 Visit to Alison Homestead, Wyong. Contact: Kerry Neinert 49615083 ARTHUR PHILLIP – Milsons Point to Brooklyn and across to all northern beaches. MID NORTH COAST -- Taree and Surrounds, Bulahdelah to Venue: Meeting Room, Old Gordon Public School. 799 Pacific Kempsey. Highway, Gordon – monthly meetings, third Friday at 10.30 . Next Venue: Presbyterian Church, 76 Albert Street, Taree, Bi-monthly Meetings: 16 August: Mary Small, Lennies’ Ride; 20 September: Jo on 4th Tuesday at 2pm.. Next Meeting: 24 September: Speaker Harris OAM, Wales to Wahroonga Wireless; 22 October: John TBA .Contact: Heather Bath 0427018566 Jeremy, Cockatoo Island Dockyard 1857-1991. Next Events: 6 August: 9th Anniversary Luncheon at White Rock Café, Long Reef MORETON – South East Queensland. Golf Club; 11 September: Heritage Walking Tour of Hunters Hill; Venue: St. Augustine’s Anglican Church Hall, Hamilton – bi- 18 September: Morning Tea for Arthur Phillip’s birthday. Contact: monthly meetings, at 10 am on an available 2nd Saturday. Next Judith O’Shea 9797 0240 Meetings 10 August: AGM, Members, A Leaf from my Tree; 12 October: Julie Webb, DNA. Next Event: Contact: Julia Cornford BOTANY BAY - Southern Sydney, from Cooks River to Waterfall 0418747891 and west to Liverpool Venue: The Gardens on Forest Function Centre, 764 Forest Road NORTH COAST – Boambee, Coffs Harbour, Dorrigo to Maclean Peakhurst. 10:30 am. Next Meeting: 17 September: Kerrie Anne Venue: Either at Mylestom Hall, Coramba Hall or at members’ Christian, DNA.. Next Event: 22 October: 10 am, Bligh Exhibition at homes, Bi-monthly, usually first Sunday at 10.30am. Next Maritime Museum. Contact: Carol Macklin 0415376434 Meetings: 4 August, at Col and Pat Robertson’s: AGM; 6 October, at Pat and Darrell Davis’s: Earl Cruickshank, Rowing down the Thames. CANBERRA – ACT, Queanbeyan and surrounds. Next Event: Contact: Robyn Condliffe 66533615 Venue: Various locations in Canberra. Next Event: Saturday 14 September: Annual Luncheon, 12 Noon, at Southern Cross Yacht NORTHERN RIVERS – Lismore and surrounds. Club. Contact: Geoff Cameron 62514095 Venue: Ballina Cherry Street Sports and Bowling Club - bi-monthly meetings, fourth Sunday at 11.30am followed by lunch; Next CENTRAL COAST – From Lake Macquarie to Broken Bay, highlands Meeting: 22 September. Contact: Karla Rojo 66884306 to coast. Venue: Point Clare Community Hall – meet monthly, second NORTH WEST – Tamworth and surrounds. Saturday at 10 am for 10.30. Next Meetings: 10 August: Mark Venue: Various locations – bi-monthly meetings, usually first Bundy, Rookwood Cemetery; 14 September: Margy Logan, Saturday at 1.30pm Next Meetings: 3 August at Tamworth Hannibal Hawkins Macarthur; 12 October: Cassandra Holmes, Hospital Museum: AGM and Museum Visit; 5 October: Regular Guide Dogs of Australia. Next Event: Contact: Jon Fearon meeting at Family History Rooms, Speaker TBA. Contact: Diana 43116254 Harband 67652122

DERWENT - Southern Tasmania SOUTH COAST – Engadine to Burrill Lake. Venue: Bi-monthly, 11am, first Saturday at Royal Yacht Club of Venue: Scribbly Gum Room, Ribbonwood Centre, 93-109 Princes Tasmania, Sandy Bay. Next Meetings: 3 August: AGM, Speaker, Highway, Dapto – monthly except. Jan, May and Dec. – first The Digitisation of the JW Beattie Historic Photo Collection; 5 Tuesday at 10am - 1pm. Next Meetings: 6 August: Winter Warm October: Speaker TBA. Next Event: Date TBA: Visit to Rokeby Day, Dawn Crowther, Clifton School of Arts; 3 September: Jillian Cemetery, led by Dr Dianne Snowden. Contact: Paul Dobber Wilson, Channel Islands; Next Event: Contact: Rob Ratcliffe 0401566080 42321842

EASTERN FARMS – Ryde, Eastwood, Parramatta, Kings Langley, SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS – Mittagong, Moss Vale and surrounds. Pennant Hills and surrounds. Venue: Mittagong Community Centre – bi-monthly – second Venue: The Hall at Brush Farm House, 19 Lawson St. Eastwood – Wednesday at 10.30am $5 Admission. Next Meetings: 14 August: monthly meetings, first Saturday from 10am Next Meetings: 3 AGM and Chapter Chats. 9 October: Ted Westwood, TBA. Next August: Jennifer Farrer, Australian Plants used by Early Settlers; 7 Events: Contact: Wendy Selman 48624849 September: Geoff Davidson, Napoleon and the Australian Connection; 5 October: Rob Shipton, Big Ben. Next Event: Contact: SWAN RIVER – Perth, Fremantle and surrounds. Jennifer Follers 97991161 Venue: 16 Inwood Place Murdoch, bi-monthly, usually first

Saturday, at 2pm. Next Meetings: 3 August: AGM, Speaker Richard --Western Sydney, Penrith to Windsor, HAWKESBURY-NEPEAN Offen, TBA; 5 October: Glenn Farley, FF Andrew Fishburn. Next Blue Mountains. Event: Contact: Toni Mahony 0892717630 Venue: Windsor Library, Penrith Library and in Springwood. --

monthly, second Saturday, 11 am. Next Meetings 10 August (at

Windsor): Judith Dunn, TBA; 14 September: (at Springwood Presbyterian Church) Doug Knowles, Rails, Roads and Bridges on the Mountains; 12 October: (at Windsor) Lorraine Turtle, The Grey Karys Fearon, Chapter Liaison Officer Scheme. Next Event: Contact: William Hempel 0410950101 EDITOR’S NOTE: Closing date for this page for the HUNTER VALLEY – Hunter Region, Newcastle and surrounds. next issue is 23 September 2019

11 Founders September-October 2019 WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS FOR HISTORY BUFFS Ordinary and Pensioner Members Junior Members (Advertisements from members) PHILLIP DIVINE aka THOMAS HILTON NATHANIEL LUCAS/OLIVIA GASCOIGNE TENNANT #8982 Bryson Bagnall Irish Famine Commemoration Committee #8978 Michele Gail Watts Associates 20th Annual Commemoration #8983 Beverley Gwatkin #8957.1 Bob Frain Outside Hyde Park Barracks Museum JOHN NICHOLLS #6077.1 Helen Mattick 2 pm Sunday 25 August Friend #8979 Enid Jeanette Taylor Ongoing celebration to follow; just turn up. #F194 Heather Stevens JOHN ROWE Additional First Fleeter #8980 Brett Vincent Waters THOMAS SPENCER/MARY PHILLIPS Descendants’ Day at Dalwood BARTHOLOMEW REARDON #8974 Christopher James Grant Buffet Lunch at the Dalwood Cellars, Wynd- #8981 Susan Jane Binning ham Estate, East of Branxton JOSHUA PECK For family and worker descendants #8984 Louise Ellen Leslie DEATHS (free and convict) RSVP 15 August THOMAS ACRES 1 pm Saturday 7 September

#8985 Kathryn Gai Cook $55 Book at www.trybooking.com/BDNDL ANN FORBES/THOMAS HUXLEY ELIZABETH FITZGERALD #8986 John Reginald Brown #7765 Ronald Ayton, of Tamworth, New Thomas Best Bicentennial 1799-1874 Student Members South Wales, died on 22.05.2019, aged 200 years of Settlement at Middle Dural JAMES BRYAN CULLEN 90. Ron had belonged to North West 3-5 pm Sunday 8 September #8976 Aislinn Grace Fearon Chapter since joining in 2009. Glenroy Cottage, 1 Glenroy Pl Middle Dural #8977 Caleb Jonathan Fearon RSVP 30 August [email protected]

CHAPTER OUTING TO FIRST FLEET HOUSE A glance at Page 11 each issue will indicate the great va- As well as a hearty morning tea the highlight definitely riety of programmes our chapters across the country have seemed to be the Sirius Room with its Borrowdale Library. developed. Outings, from bi-monthly to occasionally, fea- It was good that prospective members David Payne and ture in most of them. Christine Williamson found many of the books a great Botany Bay Chapter has opted for the alternate plan and help for their research. on the 11 June a group chose to visit First Fleet House for Earlier members in the group also found many of the their very first outing. Directors ‘on duty’ were pleased to new acquisitions most helpful in their own understanding welcome them all and show them the building, explain its of the lives of their FF ancestors. It was good, too, to wel- origin and genesis as the FFF ‘headquarters’ in 1988 and come Glen and Margarita Farley (FF Andrew Fishburn) answer a multiplicity of questions. visiting NSW from Swan River Chapter

Morning Tea in the Sirius Room. Visitors and directors, pictured, from left: Vanessa Hicks, Glenn Farley, Carol Macklin, Margarita Farley, Sha- ron Lamb, Karen Lovett, David Payne, Dorelle Smith, Elaine Snowball, Kevin Snowball, Chris- tine Williamson and Jon Fearon.

CHAPTER SECRETARIES ALBURY-WODONGA DIST. CENTRAL COAST Kerry Neinert 02 4961 5083 NORTH WEST Mary Chalmers-Borella Jon Fearon 02 4311 6254 MID NORTH COAST Diana Harband 02 6765 2122 02 6025 3283 DERWENT Heather Bath 0427 018 566 SOUTH COAST ARTHUR PHILLIP Paul Dobber 0401 566 080 MORETON Rob Ratcliffe 02 4232 1842 Judith O’Shea 02 9797 0240 EASTERN FARMS Julia Cornford 0418 747 891 SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS BOTANY BAY Jennifer Follers 02 9799 1161 NORTH COAST Wendy Selman 02 4862 4849 Carol Macklin 0415 376 434 HAWKESBURY-NEPEAN Faye Smith 02 6653 1019 SWAN RIVER CANBERRA William Hempel 0410 950 101 NORTHERN RIVERS Toni Mahony 08 9271 7630 Brian Mattick 02 6231 8880 HUNTER VALLEY Karla Rojo 02 6688 4306

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